Can-labeling machine



No. 624,42I. Patented May 2, |899. W. D. AYERS.

CAN LABELING MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 15, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. 624,42I. Patented May 2, |899.

W. D. AYERS.

CAN LABELING MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 15, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

No. 624,42I. Patented May 2, i899.

w. D. AYERS.

CAN LABEUNG MACHINE..

A mation med Nov. 15 1897.; I

( n o M o d e 3 s h e e t s s h e e t 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILSON D. AYERS, OF ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO JOI-1N L. CHAMPLIN AND EDWARD F. 'AIKEN, OF OAKLAND., CALIFORNIA.

CAN-LABELING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,421., dated May 2, 1.899.

Application filed November 15l 1897. Serial No. 658.584. (No model.)

T cir/ZZ wwm t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILSON D. AYERS, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Alameda,`

in the county of Alameda, State of California, have invented a new and useful Machine for Labeling Cans, of which the following is a anism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a vertical section of the entire machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 3 is an end elevation showing the paste-box cut away to illustrate the manner of adjusting the brush to conform to the diiferent-sized cans, the valve which controls the supply of paste, and the adjustment of the sides to receive the different sizes of cans. Fig. 4 is a side View of the same. Fig. 5 is a broken plan of the platform where the cans are received and a section of the rails and manner of adjustment with a portion of the opposite rail on the platform. Fig. 6 is avertical section of the label-box, showing the platform or label-bed as supported bythe iiexible bands. Fig. 7 is a side view of the mechanism for operating the label-bed. Fig. 8 is an end view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7.

Similar letters and numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In this machine I provide a support for the` cans and operating mechanism consisting of a box or frame A, having an inside projection from the sides which make an inclined track B, on which the cans roll down by gravity alone. This track B is made in three sections on each side of the box, the lirst section being straight from the upper end of the box to the labeling device. The second section of the track B, which is over the label-box, has downwardly-turned ends, Fig. 1. The third section is straight and inclined like the first part. The object of turning the ends of the intermediate section down is to have them out of the way of the can as it meets the label and to keep the labels in place while the can passes over them.

The labels are kept in place by two transverse frames W, which with the sides of the frame A form a label-compartment, their upper ends conforming to the incline ofthe track. These frames are also a support for the sides ofthe box A.

At the inlet end of the main frame is a platform X, to which the sides are bolted and which acts .as a receptacle for the cans before starting down the track.

In the label-compartment, as shown in Fig. l, is a platform or bed E, resting on bands G. The labels carried by this bed are made to rise and meet the cans by flexible bands operatedby devices shown in Figs. r/and 8. A shaft H carries a fixed ratchet-wheel I, the shaft being journaled in the sides of box A. The ratchet-wheel I is operated by a pawl Q, attached to the end of an L-shaped lever K, which is pivoted loosely upon the shaft H. The wheel is causedto revolve by the weight of the can L as it passes over a plate M, connected with the lever K. Said lever K is forked to inclose the ratchet-wheel, as shown in Fig. 8, and its two arms are connected together by the plate M. A weight N is secured to the lower end of the lever to return it to normal position after each depression of the vplate M. In the lower end of the lever K is a slot O, through which passes a bar P, the ends of the bar being secured in the main frame. On the bar P, working between the two sides of the lever K, is a holding-pawl R, engaging with the ratchet wheel I. The weight of the passing can npon the plate M causes the ratchet-wheel to turn, allowing pawl R to seat itself in the next tooth and to hold the ratchet-wheel stationary While the lever K is falling back. The effect of the above-described movement of the ratchetwheel and lpawls is to wind up one end of the bands G on the axle of the ratchet-Wheel, thereby raising the labels to meet the can as it passes down'the track.

The bands-G are tapes of 'sufficient length to raise the bed E and the labels upon it the required distance. The other endsof bands Gare attached to a bar S, fastened to the sides of the box A just underneath the track on which the cans roll. As the bands are IOO , l tween the label-bed and the inlet end of the machine. center of the label-bed. These boxes are held in place by upright pieces 3 and 4, attached to the sides of the frame. They are movable by loosening a thumb-screw 5 on a bolt 6,which passes through aslot 7. The past eboxes have a V-shaped discharge S runninglengthwise through the center and extending below the bottom of the boxes 1 and 2. To

. the inside of the slot S last mentioned is tted brush, Fig. 4.

a V-shaped valve 9, attached to a bolt 1 0, which passes up through a bar 1l, fastened across the'top of the box. The bolt 10 is adjustable by the action of the thumb-screw 12, attached to its upper end. This enables the V-shaped valve 9 to be raised or lowered, which action controls the supply 'ot paste to the brushes.

The boxes 1 and 2 are attached to the upper end ot the before-described uprights 3 and 4 by bolts 13, which are att-ached toeach end of the boxes and which pass through vertical slots 14 in the uprights and are heldin position by the thumb-nuts 15. The boxes are thus rendered vertically adjustable.

Each paste-brush'T and U consists of a d'ouble brush made by fastening two brushes, one on each side of a frame 16, which is made tot outside the V-shaped discharge 8, extending below the bottom of the paste-boxes. Theends of the brushes are thereby brought together, causing them to operate as a single pawls from the ratchet-wheel to permit aA rapid lowering of the label-platform.

This device consists of two arms 17, projecting Vtrom a pivoted bar 18. Attached to the ends ot. these arms 17 are curved pawl-litters 19, normally in contact with a pin 20, projecting from the side of'each pawl Q and R. When the bar 18 is turned by thethumb-piece 21, the litters 19 press upon the pins 20, raising both pawls at the same time, releasing the ratchetwheel t', and allowing the bands to unwind from the shaft I-I.

In Figs. 3 and 5 are shown means for adjusting the machine to fit the diterent-sized cans.. The track for the cans is made adjustable and rests -upon flanges 26, projecting from the inside of the box A and having a slot 22, through which a bolt 23 passes and by which thetrack can be opened or closed.

Figs. 2 and 6 show an inside casing 24 of The other box 2 is placed over the The paste is fed to the center -ot the brush from the V-shaped discharge 8,

the label-box, which is removably held by a dovetailedslot and tongue 25, so that different thicknesses of casing may be introduced.

In operating my labeling machine the proper adjustments are first made to adapt it -to the size of the cans to be labeled-that is,

the tracks are adjusted to the length of the cans and the label-compartment to the width of the labels in the manner before described. The paste-boxes and brushes are also adjusted 'vertically to the diameter of the can and also to its circumference-that is to say, the distance between the boxes 1 and 2 is so regulated that the two brushes apply their paste at the same point, one upon the can itself and the other upon the end of the partlysecured label, which is overlapped by the free end of such label. The cans introduced upon the platform X roll by gravity under the brushes T and receive a line or narrow surface of paste. The can then passes over and de presses the plate M and lever K, actuating the ratchet mechanism one tooth, and thereby winding up. enough of the'bands G to raise the label-bed and labels by the thick- 'piled uponthe label-bed after throwing out the pawls and permitting vthe label-bed to drop at one motion to thel fullA extent permittedy by the bands which support it.

It will be noted that the operation of the machine is entirely automatic and that no power 4is applied, since the gravity of the cans alone operates the entire mechanism.

- The machine is exceedingly rapid in operation, and the simplicity of its Yconstruction is in marked contrast to the complicated mechanisms usually employed.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure byA Letters Patent, is-

1. In a labeling-machine, the combination l with a runway, of a label-bed, a flexible .sup-

port for the label-bed, and means operated by the passage of cans'for intermittingly draw--` ing upon and shortening said support, whereby the label-bed is raised.

2. In a labeling-machineand in combination a runway, a label-bed, a flexible support for the label-bed, means for intermittingly` drawing upon and shortening said support in order to raise the label-bed, and means for releasing said support, whereby the label-bed is permitted to drop suddenly by the lengthening of said support.

3. In a can-labeling machine the combina- IOO IIO

IZO

tion with a runway for cans, of a label-bed, a flexible support for the label-bed, a shaft to which said support is connected, and means operated by the passage of a can for winding said flexible su p port upon said shaft and thereby raising the label-bed.

4.- In a can-labeling machine the combination with a runway for cans, of a label-bed, a flexible support for said bed, a shaft to which said support is connected, a ratchet-wheel fixed on said shaft and a lever loose on said shaft, projecting intothe path of the traveling cans and carrying pawls.

5. In a can-'labeling machine, and in combination a runway for cans, a'label-bed suspended by flexible bands, means operated by the passage of a can for Winding up said bands and lifting the label-bed, and means for disengaging said operating means, whereby the label-bed is permitted to drop to the extent permitted by said bands.

6. In a can-labeling machine and in combination, a runway for cans, a label-bed suspended by flexible bands, a winding-shaft to which one end of said bands is connected, a ratchet-wheel on said shaft, a pivoted lever having operating and holding pawls, and projecting into the path of the cans, and aweight on said lever for returning it to normal position after each depression by a can.

7. In a can-labeling machine and incombination, a runway for cans, a label-bed supy ported by bands, a winding-shaft to which said bands are connected, aratchet-wheel on said shaft, a pivoted lever carrying pawls and projecting into the path of the traveling cans, and a pawl-lifter for throwing said pawls out of engagement with said ratchet and thereby permitting said label-bed to drop.

8. In a cau-labeling machine, a runway for the passage of cans, a label-bed, flexible bands fixed at one end and passing beneath the bed to support it, winding mechanism connected to the free ends of said bands, and means actuated by the passage of cans for operating said winding mechanism.

9. In combination with a paste-box having Ya V-shaped discharge-passage, twoV brushes one attached to each side of said passage whereby said brushes converge and both receive paste from the intermediate discharge= passage.

10. In a can-labeling machine the combina;

tion with an adjustable paste-box having a V- shaped discharge-passage,of a V-shaped valve fitted to said passage, and separate brushes converging below said discharge-passage. 4 ,11. The combination with the paste-box having the tapering or V-shaped dischargepassage, of avbrush-head 16, secured to each side .of said passage, and a separate brush secured in each brush-head so as to converge below the said discharge-passage.

JOHN L. CHAMPLIN, v E. F. AIKEN. 

